Gentleman's Linerlock Flipper

bld522

bld522

Joined
Feb 3, 2004
Messages
7,119
I've been looking for a gentleman's linerlock flipper to replace my CRKT Aluminum (Walmart) Ripple and I can't seem to find what I'm looking for. There's nothing wrong with the Ripple. In fact, if it was finished a little more nicely and made out of better materials, I'd gladly carry it for the rest of my life. But the "pocketworn" finish, aluminum handles and 8Cr13MoV steel of the Walmart Ripple leave a little to be desired.

I do NOT want a framelock for the simple reason that reliable opening is paramount. I've seen enough Youtube videos to know that any finger pressure against the lock on a R.I.L. flipper tends to impedes it's ability to deploy the blade reliably and I don't want to have to think about keeping my fingers off the lock when I open it. Obviously a linerlock doesn't have that problem. Other than that, the big issues for me are size (at least a 3" blade), weight (no more than 3.0 oz), and opening mechanism (no AO). If I could create the knife I'm looking for, it would be a linerlock Ripple with Titanium handles similar to those used on the Eros and a blade constructed of S30V or S35VN steel.

As far as price is concerned, I'd pay as much for what I'm looking for as I would for small Sebenza (~$350 to $400). Unfortunately, nothing like that seems to exist.

Anybody have any ideas?
 
If you can find a Kershaw OD-1, I think it's an excellent choice. I have one that I like a lot, but the blade steel probably isn't going to be what you're looking for. The opening mechanism is excellent, though. It is every bit as fast as an assisted opening knife, but there's no spring. I think it's definitely in the "gentlemen's folder" category, not the "big scary knife" category, which is important for me at work. Interestingly enough, my other EDC is the Ripple, and I agree with the finish complaint.
 
I'm sorry bld522, but its so hard to answer your question with your Avatar. That is just freakin hilarious!!!

But to try and stay on topic, take a look at the Kershaw Blur Carbon Fiber. It's SA with thumb stud. The best part is the price and steel. CPM-154 and can be had for @ $100.

Just throwing another option out there. I just picked one of these up and it's my EDC for work. I wear a suit to work everyday. And this fits the bill for a gentleman folder for myself.
 
Framelocks only have that problem you described when deploying via thumbstud.

Kershaw Lahar or JYD maybe? might be on the big side though.
most custom or semicustom flippers I've seen have been framelocks. Peter Rassenti sometimes puts thin CF scales over his framelocks, but that's above your price range.
 
JustSomeGuy said:
If you can find a Kershaw OD-1, I think it's an excellent choice. I have one that I like a lot, but the blade steel probably isn't going to be what you're looking for. The opening mechanism is excellent, though. It is every bit as fast as an assisted opening knife, but there's no spring. I think it's definitely in the "gentlemen's folder" category, not the "big scary knife" category, which is important for me at work. Interestingly enough, my other EDC is the Ripple, and I agree with the finish complaint.
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Thanks. There don't seem to be many choices available for gentleman's linerlock flippers and frankly, I don't understand why. You'd think that knife manufacturers would see the obvious advantage of using a linerlock rather than a framelock for that kind of knife. But apparently they don't . . . or perhaps they think the linerlock is so out-of-date that if they're going to make gentleman's flippers, they'd better make them with framelocks or they won't sell.

To my mind, the Aluminum (Walmart) Linerlock Ripple is the ideal design for a gentleman's flipper. Too bad CRKT doesn't make one with better materials. I'd buy it in a heartbeat.
 
Svs said:
I'm sorry bld522, but its so hard to answer your question with your Avatar. That is just freakin hilarious!!!

But to try and stay on topic, take a look at the Kershaw Blur Carbon Fiber. It's SA with thumb stud. The best part is the price and steel. CPM-154 and can be had for @ $100.

Just throwing another option out there. I just picked one of these up and it's my EDC for work. I wear a suit to work everyday. And this fits the bill for a gentleman folder for myself.
Click to expand...
The CPM-154 Blur is definitely a nice knife. But it's more than twice as heavy as I want to carry. Now if William Henry ever made an E10 with a flipper . . .
 
JB Blount's flipper seems to have no issue with deployment and that's a framelock design...there's a YouTube video on a recent exchange ad and it flips out like lightening...
 
gooeytek said:
That'd be user error, or ineptness.
Click to expand...

You could be right. On the other hand, there's is an inescapable logic to the notion that using the frame as a locking mechanism can increase drag by putting lateral pressure on the blade when you grip the knife, thereby making it more difficult to deploy. In the case of a non-AO flipper when all you're using is finger pressure to deploy the blade, the increased drag can be enough to keep the knife from opening reliably.
 
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You just have to hold it right. I don't have that problem of holding it wrong where the framelock impedes deployment, so I don't really care. Some people have a hard time with just using thumbstuds whether the knife is a linerlock, backlock, or slipjoint. You have to learn how to use tools for them to be most effective.
 
Frame Locks don't really have that issue if held right, I've never had that problem and own several frame locks. Just keep your fingers toward the back of the knife and flip open with your index finger. You also don't have to hold it very tight with a smooth flipper.

On that note:
CRKT Ripple - Not wal-mart
CRKT Eros
AG Russel Gentleman's Frame Lock

If you can live without the Flipper, I'd like to suggest the Spyderco Gayle Bradley Air.
Silver Twill Glass Fiber with a nice texture, Titanium Liner Lock, M4 super steel, Smooth action and solid lock up, great little knife. It has to be my favorite Gents knife.
 
gooeytek said:
You just have to hold it right. I don't have that problem of holding it wrong where the framelock impedes deployment, so I don't really care. Some people have a hard time with just using thumbstuds whether the knife is a linerlock, backlock, or slipjoint. You have to learn how to use tools for them to be most effective.
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I agree. On the other hand, I suspect most knife owners don't want to be bothered with having to hold their knives just right to get them to open reliably. I suspect that's one of the reasons for the popularity of AO knives.
 
BladeChick777 said:
Frame Locks don't really have that issue if held right, I've never had that problem and own several frame locks. Just keep your fingers toward the back of the knife and flip open with your index finger. You also don't have to hold it very tight with a smooth flipper.

On that note:
CRKT Ripple - Not wal-mart
CRKT Eros
AG Russel Gentleman's Frame Lock

If you can live without the Flipper, I'd like to suggest the Spyderco Gayle Bradley Air.
Silver Twill Glass Fiber with a nice texture, Titanium Liner Lock, M4 super steel, Smooth action and solid lock up, great little knife. It has to be my favorite Gents knife.
Click to expand...

Thanks. The Gayle Bradley Air looks like a very nice knife. I've also got a Sage 2 that would function well as an EDC. But I'm hooked on flippers at the moment. We'll see how long that lasts.
 
bld522 said:
If only that were true:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvLQBf33eJ4
Click to expand...

The best part of the video is at the 3:20 mark (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvLQBf33eJ4#t=200s) when he is using the liner lock and says "this opens every time without a problem" and... it fails to open :D

/end-snark


Anyway, although I'm not personally the biggest Kershaw fan (IMO they don't always offer great blade steel choices, and they have WAY too many models, with too many of them being very similar) the Kershaw Skyline, Chill, or Leek meet most of your requirements, although they don't have great blade steel.

Skyline - 2.5oz, 3 1/8 in., Liner Lock, Sandvik 14C28N
Chill - 2oz, Flipper, 3 1/8 in., Liner lock, 8Cr13MoV
Leek - 3oz., 3 in., Liner Lock, Sandvik 14C28N

http://kershaw.kaiusaltd.com/knives/knife/skyline
http://kershaw.kaiusaltd.com/knives/knife/chill
http://kershaw.kaiusaltd.com/knives/knife/g-10-leek
 
Thanks, everyone. At this point I'm leaning toward the Eros. I know it's a framelock, but I like everything else about it and I'm skilled enough that the deployment should be an issue. The price isn't too bad either.
 
I just recently picked up a Eros myself. I must say it is an elegant little folder. Two thumbs up to CRKT on this one. Fit and finish is superb. Excellent blade geometry. SUPER smooth action having the IKBS ball bearing system. The only complaint I have is the closed detent is a bit strong but nothing too terrible. Personally I think this knife is an excellent value. Titanium frame lock with a higher end stainless steel for around a Franklin!
 
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Thanks for the review. I haven't purchased an Eros yet, but I have to agree that a Ti framelock with a higher end stainless steel for about a Franklin is a good deal. I was just hoping for something a little larger than the Eros.
 
Kershaw Skyline or Zing maybe? Flipper, liner lock, non-assisted. Skyline has a 3 1/4" blade. The Zing has a 3" blade, but the cutting edge is 2 7/8". The forum knife is a blue Skyline w/ S30V blade. There are damascus Skylines as well (discontinued, but they pop up on the secondary market on occasion). There were some damascus Zings as well, although they too are hard to come by now.
 
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